Combined stretcher, cot, and hammock.



H. MENTEN.

COMBINED STRETCHER, COT, AND HAMMOCK.

APPLICATION man APR. 30, 1912.

1,151,195. Patented-Aug. 24,1915

Inventor: m

-HER1VIAN MENTEN, or ASTORIA, NEW YORK.

COMBINED STRETCHER, COT, AND HAMMOCK.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Application filed .April 30, 1912. Serial N0. 694,296.

Hammocks, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to a combined stretcher, cot and hammock and has for its object the provision of a'single structure so designed that it may be folded into a small compact bundle for convenience in transportation and when opened out may be converted into a strong and serviceable cot,

I hammock or stretcher as desired.

In the accompanying drawings I have illustrated a preferred-embodiment of my invention and as here shown my invention consists of certain improvements and additions to the combined cot and hammock shown in my prior Patent No:928,317 grant ed July 20, 1909, whereby that structure is adapted also for use as a stretcher.

It is to be understood however that my invention is not limited to the details of construction herein disclosed but covers all such modifications thereof as fall Within the scope of the appended claim.

In the said drawings: Figure 1 is a perspective view showing the device adjustedfor use as a hammock, Fig. 2'is a similar view showing the device in use as a stretcher, Fig. 3 is a similar view showing the device set up for use as a cot, Fig. 4 is a similar view showing the device partially folded,

Fig. 5 .is a side view of the leg structure collapsed for bundling and Figs. 6 and 7 are detail views which will be hereinafter referred to.

Referring now to the drawings,'in which like reference characters indicate like parts throughout the several views, 1 indicates "a sheet, preferably of heavy duck, which supports the occupant of the structure. The sheet 1 is hemmed along its side edges to form loops for receiving the ropes 2 and rods 3. The ropes are continuous from one end to the other of the sheet but the rods are formed in three pieces so that when the.

structure is folded for bundling in the manner shown in Fig. 4, the length of the bundle will be only one third the length of the device when in use.

The rod sections are carried by the ropes in a manner which will be later described,

and when the structure is used as a cot or a stretcher the ends of the rod sections are brought together to form in effect continuous side rods, but when the structure is used as a hammock the rod sections are left unconnected so that the ropes support the entire structure.

One of the principal objects of the present invention is to improve on the side rod and rope constructionshown in my prior patent and to provide suitable locking devices between the rod sections so that the entire weight of the structure and occupant may be supported from the ends of the rods and the structure used as a stretcher as shown in Fig. 2.

Beginning at the end of one of the side ropes it will be noted that its free end forms a loop 4 adjacent the end edge of the sheet.

'The rope then'passes through a hole in the rod section and extends along the lower side thereof in a groove 5 provided for the purpose and extending to a point near the opposite end of the rod section, at which point a hole is bored through the rod to its top surface. From this hole 6 the rope passes through a similar hole in the middle rod section adjacent its end. Between the holes 6 the rope lies in grooves in the top surface of the rod sections so that its surface is flush with the surface of. the rods. The rope extends along the bottom of the middle rod section in a suitable groove to a point adjacent its other end where it forms a similar joint with the other end section of the rod, thence along the under side of that section to its ,outer end where the end of the rope is formed into another loop 4% in the manner described. The loops 4 provide attachments for the supporting ropes 21 when the struc ture is used as a hammock.

The abutting ends of the rod sections are adapted to be connected by pins 8 onone section of each joint fitting a corresponding hole in the other section, the length of the pins being such however, that the slack in the rope over the joint will permit the PatentedAug.24,1915.

parts being disengaged in the manner shown side rodsa short length ofbrass tube 9 is provided having a sliding fit on one of the rod sections and near one end of the tube a hole 10 is formed with which'a catch 11 on the adjacent rod section cooperates when, the

tube is slipped over the joint, thereby preventing accidental displacement of the tubeJ As the ropes 2 are flush throughout with the surface of the rods the tubes 9 can have a snug fit von,the rods thereby vpreventing any lost motion in the joints and taking all the strain. off of the pins 8. To permit the tubes.

9 to be adjusted as described, the side edges of the sheet are cut awaya short distance on each sideof the joints as shown at 12; I 0. provide grips for the attendants when the device is used as a stretcher the. side rods are prolonged beyond the loops'fl a suitable distance as shown at- 13.

It is desirable when the device "is used .as

a hammock or a. stretcher. to maintain the each side, engage; When the structure is .ters Patent is:

' Witnesses:

used as a cot it not necessary that. the

tubes 9 for the reason-that each rod section joints in the side rods. be secured by" the.

is separately supported on the leg structure 1thereby'holding the pins 8 in their sockets.

My improved structure is especially adapted for army use. When the troops are en route on the naval vessels or transports the structures constitute sleeping hammocks. In camp the same equipment serve-- as comfortable cots and furthermore each soldier has alwaysat hand a' serviceable stretcher ready 'for use whenever needed. I

Having thus described my invention what I claim as'new and desire to secure by Let In a device, of the combination of a sheet, slde rods 1n sections class described, the

extending along the side edgesof said sheet,

,ropes to which said sections are attached,

said ropes extending along the upper side of said rod sections attheir adjacent ends and then passing through holes in said sections at points a short distance'removed from said ends and extending along the underside of said sections between said holes},

In testimony whereof, I have signedmy name to this specificationin the presence of two subscribing witnesses, this 17th day of.

April I912.

- HENRY S Ucnm, CHAS) I-I. Jasm n.

ER AN-Mamas. 

